| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Little Roundtop (Inspiration Point), Roundtop , NH |
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 | Trails: |
Worthen Trail, Stephens Trail, road walk, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of plowed parking by the Smith Baker Lodge near the HOL on New Chester Mtn Rd. The road was bare until the final push to the HOL where it had been plowed but was a bit snowy and a little caution was needed. I was the only car there although another car pulled up as I was leaving at dusk. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Worthen Trail was unblazed but trivial to follow as it’s a road. Stephens Trail was blazed in red. Both are signed. I didn’t see signs any other trail jcts (or trails) as the guidebook describes. I don’t recall any blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Second post-work hike of the day after Cockermouth Ledge. The Worthen Trail begins just shy of the lodge and on the opposite side of the parking area (or what I figured to be the parking area). The trails were not broken but you could see an old snowshoe track and breaking trail was pretty east despite the snow being wet. It’s not really steep except for this one pitch. Before you know it you’re at the viewpoint which is pretty spectacular for the negligible effort to get there. There is a crucifix and dedication here, both of which I personally appreciated. Stephens Trail starts behind the outdoor chapel-esque thingy. I did not note any other trails diverging from it like the guidebook describes. Maybe I just missed them. I found the guidebook’s description a bit confusing though; the trail does not ascend to the shelter which is at the HOL on New Chester Mtn Rd but rather descends to it. Perhaps the trail has changed? Also, the loop I made over Little Roundtop was definitely less than 0.9mi…I’m thinking closer to a 1/2mi.
While I was here, and since it had been awhile since I’d done something stupid like try and squeeze in a bushwhack I wasn’t planning just before sunset without my pack on my back, I whacked to Roundtop too. I walked the road a short ways north to start off the eastern ridge. I entered the woods by a stone wall. I followed this ridge to the summit with the occasional rather steep pitch over ledge. Woods were fine. There appeared to be a road that crossed over the ridge that I may have been able to follow but I didn’t really bother with it. The snow was wet and didn’t have a base but wasn’t too much deeper than a foot which made trail breaking doable. Only partial views which wouldn’t exist with leaves on the trees from the summit area but maybe you could get one if you went looking. No jar or cairn was noted. That said, there is something of interest in the woods just over halfway up along the ridge from the road that certainly made this hike worth it and interesting. For the love of the ‘whack!! For both hikes, Gaia had me at 1.3mi, 350-375ft of gain, 45min. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-03-02 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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